Is Menstrual Cup Better than Tampons?

The percentage of women who have never heard about menstrual cups is high, and even if they had, they are hesitant to use that. This is quite normal given the mystery around menstrual cups and whether they are safe or not.

But gradually women are switching from tampons and pads to cups as they are more hygienic, safe and hold more blood than a tampon.

They are a medical grade silicone rubber that is inserted into the vagina to collect blood. It’s a reusable sanitary product which is around 2 inches long, and most companies make it toxins and bleach free.

It collects the blood and fluids which can be emptied in the toilet after 8-10 hours or if you feel like cleaning it. It can be worn for a long time after every cycle, it needs to be boiled and then you can keep it safe till your next cycle. These cups usually come in two sizes- small and large. A small one can be worn by women below 30 years of age, and who don’t have children while women with children and over 30 years of age should go for the large size, and is reusable for up to 5 years.

But the real question here is whether menstrual cups are better than tampons? Well I think they are, and I am going to provide you with some reasons to support this, and maybe you will start preferring them too.

So here are 6 reasons that may make you choose menstrual cup over tampons:

No residue

Unlike tampons and pads, they don’t leave any fiber on the wall of the vagina as they are made of silicone. Also, they are less likely to give you toxic shock syndrome.

It doesn’t harm the vagina

Sometimes tampons can cause or increase dryness as they absorb 35% of moisture while absorbing 65% of menstrual fluids causing an imbalance in the natural pH of the vagina. But the menstrual cup has no such issue, and thus there is no itching or dryness due to pH imbalance.

Also, the cup doesn’t interfere with the natural defense system of the vaginal wall, and thus it allows the mucous membrane of the wall to continue with its cleaning and protective functions.

Good for sensitive skin and are safe too

Since they are made of silicone derived from silica, that too of the medical grade, they are safe to use. Also, they are great for sensitive skin too and don’t cause any irritation. Women who have eczema or allergies can also use these cups without any hassle.

Can be worn longer than tampons and cannot be felt

Unlike tampons/pads, these cups can be worn for a longer time (8-12 hours) without emptying them. Also, you can’t feel them the inconvenience.

5. Environment friendly

Since pads and tampons are disposable, the used ones are found in the landfills which turn up the garbage amount. Do you know pads take around 500-800 years to biodegrade. But there are no such issues with menstrual cups as they are reusable for years.

Cost-effective

When you buy them for the first time, cups are a little costly, but they can be reused up to 5 years or more if cared for properly. Unlike tampons that have to be bought every month and cost too much, cups are a one-time investment up to some years, and thus becomes pocket-friendly. Learn more at Reusable Menstrual Cups to know how they exactly work.

Some facts that you should know about using them:

By carrying water with you, cleaning and using a menstrual cup in a public toilet is easy. You can wipe it with tissue paper, and rinse with water when you are at home.

If the cup is leaking it is probably because you are placing it wrong. It needs to be placed near the opening instead of close to the cervix.

Also, there might be a blockage in the cup due to boiling which can cause leaking. You can clear this blockage with a clean pin.

They can be used even with a lighter flow, and it will not cause any dryness.

Hopefully, this article would have cleared some of your doubts about menstrual cup and answered most of your question. Share this with your friends and let me know what you think about them in the comments below.